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ATTACK ON TITAN #11 - - Watch & Learn

The secrets have just BLOWN THESE GUYS' MINDS!

We’re actually getting some answers, now? You mean these mysterious
sub-plots aren’t going to be excessively drawn out until the end
of the season?

I think the crew even recognizes that these particular questions weren’t
especially hard to guess. I mean, gee… Eren’s mysteriously turns into a
colossus after he received mysterious injections earlier? Could the two
possibly be related? Likewise, the caste system of this fantasy kingdom already
seemed rather clearly constructed to put the peons up as human shields protecting the wealthy in the innermost walls. Now, it's just been spelled out for us. As such, I dig how they had Pixis
just off-handedly drop these particular shockers during his pep talk - - almost
trolling anybody in the audience who wanted more of a dramatic reveal.

Of course, while we’re speaking of dramatic reveals, how about this
episode’s cliffhanger, huh? I guess I’ve just gotten desensitized by the
switchback turns we’ve already been put through as an audience, but I wasn’t
too shocked. Nobody’s going to be fooled into thinking that Mikasa’s been axed
- - or even significantly injured - - and it really isn’t that
unexpected for Titan-Armin to be a Hulk-like loose cannon, either. Still, the show’s always at least trying to ratchet up the tension.

(Believe
me, I’d rather this over something like that one SPACE BROTHERS cliffhanger
that’s literally just the good guys pulling into a bus station).

Actually, thinking about it now, it’s a little funny how this entire
episode’s almost just an exercise in the show literally setting
up tension for the next episode. We’ve got the long explanation of the
forthcoming battle’s tactics (with simplified illustrations!) and we’ve
got the numerous monologues about the sacrifices these Guardsmen are making
when they don’t retreat - - all but saying expliclty, “These guys aren’t just
cannon fodder!”

I mean, what do you lunatics think? Do you figure the next episode’s going to be all about those tactics
failing, and those Guardsmen dropping like proper gristle into the grinder? That doesn't sound too far off, right?

Watch this episode, "Icon: Battle of Trost District" here and decide for yourself,
then read my write-up on the previous episode here.

About the Author

Tom Pinchuk’s a writer and personality with a large number of comics, videos and features like this to his credit. Visit his website - - tompinchuk.com - - and follow his Twitter: @tompinchuk

I love how Pixis had this deep plot revelation buried within his pep talk.

"4 years ago we used many people as fodder for the Titans and for population control...But THIS TIME WE CAN WIN!"

"YEAH!...wait...what?"

I'd say about 2/4 of Attack on Titan is plot and monologs, 1/4 is action, and the other 1/4 is anticipation and cliffhanger. Besides the episode with Armin's long monolog after the military attacked them, the show has been balancing things out pretty well. I am still enjoying the cliffhangers, but I expect they will fall off after 2-3 more episodes.

Good drama or better yet good b movies set up tension over an over .But this takes it self so seriously i worry it may lose tension an apear parody like.Mind you i dont care if others see it as that.Long as it keeps me entertained call it what you will but long term this has that ..

It's a shame that the anime is letting the manga drag it down since the manga is monthly. Sure, the manga is a great source. The staff needs to make it entertaining. Gargantia was slow, but it kept things interesting with its world building details. Attack on Titan had the best hook and first episode, but now, it's suffering from its hype just like Guilty Crown. However, Guilty Crown was an original series.

Not to antagonize you. I politely disagree. Guilty Crown suffers from the hype from the potential of its staff members such as Hiroyuki Yoshino and Tetsuro Araki plus the stunning animation from Redjuice Graphics. On the other hand, Attack on Titan is suffering from the burden of its manga counterpart. The manga is doing remarkably well in sales.

Edit:

I don't really use sales as evidence for popularity. Series such as Shin Sekai Yori have a low budget, but they still produce a spectacular anime with a riveting story. The animation might look bad, but the story matters. Attack on Titan's budget doesn't really hinder it from making it to the top.

To add on Guilty Crown, Guilty Crown does fall on its own sword due to story after the first season. Most of the characters are unlikeable. Yes, I do agree with you on Guilty Crown.

I'm wrong. I don't have a good eye. The animation is damn ugly especially in episode 13, but I still have hopes for the show. A combination of animation and a slow story plagued with inner monologues is pretty awful.

Dig Deeper into Attack on Titan

Humanity fights for the survival of their very race against the gigantic humanoid Titans